Refractive surgery

Key points A thin cornea does not close the door to refractive surgery: it guides the choice of…

Can you have laser surgery during a heatwave, does heat worsen dry eye, and when can you return to the pool: the precautions to take in hot weather.

Stinging, a gritty sensation, vision that fluctuates in the evening: dry eye after LASIK is one of the most common effects, and most often temporary. Why it happens, how long it lasts and how to relieve it.

Seeing halos around headlights or being dazzled behind the wheel at night: these visual effects are common and most often temporary after refractive surgery. Why they appear, how they evolve and when to seek care.

Gentle activities resume within a few days; swimming, the sea and contact sports call for more patience while the cornea heals. A realistic timeline for returning to sport and travel after LASIK.

Considered an elective procedure, refractive surgery does not give rise to any sick leave. What that means in practice, and why recovery is generally quick.

A corneal condition that often appears in adolescence, keratoconus thins and distorts the cornea, affecting vision. Caught early, it can be stabilised with cross-linking: the early signs not to overlook.

LASIK isn’t performed during pregnancy or breastfeeding, not because of any danger to the baby, but for the reliability of the result and precautions around eye drops. The right time to consider surgery.

Considering LASIK this summer: when to have your assessment, which contraindications apply, and how to prepare.